Treatment of temporomandibular myofascial pain with deep dry needling

Luis-Miguel Gonzalez-Perez, Pedro Infante-Cossio, Mercedes Granados-Nuñez, Francisco-Javier Urresti-Lopez, Luis-Miguel Gonzalez-Perez, Pedro Infante-Cossio, Mercedes Granados-Nuñez, Francisco-Javier Urresti-Lopez

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of deep dry needling in the treatment of temporomandibular myofascial pain.

Study design: We selected 36 patients with myofascial pain located in the external pterygoid muscle (30 women/6 men, mean age=27 years with SD±6.5). We studied differences in pain with a visual analog scale and range of mandibular movements before and after intervention.

Results: We found a statistically significant relationship (p<0.01) between therapeutic intervention and the improvement of pain and jaw movements, which continued up to 6 months after treatment. Pain reduction was greater the higher was the intensity of pain at baseline.

Conclusions: Although further studies are needed, our findings suggest that deep dry needling in the trigger point in the external pterygoid muscle can be effective in the management of patients with myofascial pain located in that muscle.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anatomic location of the external pterygoid muscle for needling.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Needling with a 40 mm. sterile needle and removal the plastic guide-tutor, followed by movements of rotation and input-output to enhance the elimination of myofascial pain.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in pain, mouth opening, and protrusive and lateral movements, before and 6 months after DDN in the external pterygoid muscle.

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